The imbalance in oxidative stress in acute stroke has been extensively studied; on the contrary, its investigation in the subacute phase is limited. The aim of this study was to analyse the variation in the systemic oxidative status in subacute post-stroke patients before (T0) and after a six-week rehabilitation treatment (T1) and to investigate the relationship between systemic oxidative status and rehabilitation outcomes. We enrolled 109 subjects in two different centres, and we analysed their serum hydroperoxide levels (d-ROMs), biological antioxidant power (BAP), thiol antioxidant components (-SHp), and relative antioxidant capacity (OSI and SH-OSI indices). Activity of Daily Living (ADL), hand grip strength, and walking endurance were evaluated using the modified Barthel Index, the Hand Grip test, and the 6-min walk test, respectively. At T0, most of the patients showed very high levels of d-ROMs and suboptimal levels of the BAP, OSI, and SH-OSI indices. Comparing the T1 and T0 data, we observed an improvement in the rehabilitation outcomes and a significant decrease in d-ROMs (549 ± 126 vs. 523 ± 148, p = 0.023), as well as an improvement in the OSI and SH-OSI indices (4.3 ± 1.3 vs. 4.7 ± 1.5, p = 0.001; 11.0 ± 0.4 vs. 1.2 ± 0.4, p < 0.001). In addition, significant correlations were seen between the oxidative stress parameters and the rehabilitation outcomes. These results suggest monitoring the systemic oxidative stress status in post-stroke patients in order to plan a tailored intervention, considering its relationship with functional recovery.

Background: Stroke survivors frequently encounter malnutrition, adversely impacting clinical outcomes. Nevertheless, malnutrition and food consumption in post-stroke patients have not been frequently assessed, and their correlation with rehabilitation outcomes remains inadequately explored. The objective of this observational study was to evaluate malnutrition at admission in these patients, assess food consumption during a six-week rehabilitation program, and analyze their correlation with rehabilitation outcomes. Methods: Subacute post-stroke patients were evaluated at admission (T0) and after a six-week rehabilitation treatment (T1). At T0, we assessed clinical and demographic characteristics, and we diagnosed malnutrition according to the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria. Weight, BMI, hematochemical parameters, and activities of daily living with the modified Barthel Index (mBI) were evaluated at both T0 and T1; recovery was registered as a change in the mBI (ΔmBI = mBIT1 − mBIT0). Patients’ food consumption was recorded through visual plate waste estimation of three meals a day, 5 days a week, for six weeks of hospitalization for rehabilitation. Results: A total of 109 patients completed the study (51 women, mean age 69 ± 11). According to the GLIM criteria, 105 of these patients were at risk of malnutrition, while 43 were malnourished, with 15 severely malnourished. Malnourished patients wasted more food, with respect to non-malnourished patients, as measured by visual plate waste of total meals (25 ± 17% vs. 15 ± 14%; p = 0.001) and reached a lower ΔmBI. A linear regression analysis found a significant correlation between the ΔmBI, the waste of a “second dish”, which contained mainly protein, and serum albumin at admission, even after controlling for age. Conclusions: Malnutrition assessed with the GLIM criteria at admission and food consumption are two important nutritional parameters to evaluate in post-stroke patients hospitalized for rehabilitation due to their association with recovery.

Background/Objectives: Despite the well-documented gender differences observed during hospitalisation, research in post-stroke recovery remains limited. This study aims to clarify this topic in subacute post-stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation, considering not only functional and cognitive outcomes but also nutritional status and food consumption. Methods: At admission (T0), patients were assessed for demographic, anamnestic, and clinical data and were diagnosed for malnutrition according to the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria. At T0 and after a six-week rehabilitation program (T1), nutritional status was assessed by anthropometric measurements, serum analysis of albumin, glucose, lipidic, metal, and oxidative stress panel, and the calculation of the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index; food consumption was recorded daily. Functional independence in Activities of Daily Living was measured at both T0 and T1 by the modified Barthel Index (mBI), and cognitive impairment was assessed by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), adjusted for age and education. Results: We enrolled 87 patients (mean age 69 ± 12 years; 42 women and 45 men); of these 52.4% of women were malnourished, compared to 33.3% of men. After rehabilitation (T1), women showed higher oxidative stress (549 ± 143 vs. 491 ± 121 UCARR; p = 0.041) and poorer functional outcomes (55.3 ± 26.1 vs. 67.1 ± 21.8; p = 0.032), despite similar cognitive improvements (19.5 ± 6.4 vs. 21.9 ± 5.2; p = 0.060) compared with men. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of personalised treatment strategies that account for gender-specific differences to optimise recovery in post-stroke patients.

The agri-food supply chain is a relevant contributor to the Italian economy but shows a high incidence of occupational injuries and musculoskeletal disorders, such as lower back pain. Repetitive manual handling and biomechanical overload highlight the need for a prevention-oriented, system-level assessment. This protocol aims to implement a harmonized One Health approach procedure for the multidimensional evaluation of food supply chain workers in real-world settings. The protocol integrates bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA), nutritional parameters, quality-of-life and psychological measures, and assessments of systemic oxidative stress and systemic serotonin levels. Data from active workers will be compared with those from sedentary individuals. The study will evaluate whether BIVA profiles differ between these groups and examine how the additional indicators contribute to a multidimensional well-being framework. By operationalizing an integrated One Health approach that bridges nutritional, psychological, and biomarker domains, this protocol is designed to guide targeted preventive and educational strategies and inform evidence-based occupational and public health policies across the food supply chain. Trial registration: NCT06896877 (ClinicalTrials.gov), 26 March 2025.