Objective: This study aimed to analyze the disease burden and risk factors of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in China in 2019, assessing trends from 1990 to 2019 to inform prevention and treatment. Methods: Utilizing the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 (GBD 2019) Data, a descriptive analysis method was employed to analyze the disease burden and risk factors for NPC in China in 2019. Additionally, the disease burden of NPC in China from 1990 to 2019 was examined. The Joinpoint Regression Program was used to estimate the annual percent change (APC) and the average APC (AAPC). Results: From 1990 to 2019, the number of new NPC cases in China increased from 47.49% to 62.57% of the global NPC cases, and the proportion of prevalence in China to the world rose from 45.29% to 70.81%. The total change rates of the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) globally and in China were 36.77% and 70.69%, respectively. The total change rates of the age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) globally and in China were 115.34% and 232.52%, respectively. The increase in ASIR and ASPR in China was significantly higher than the global average. The decrease in age-standardized death rate, standardized disability-adjusted life years rate, and standardized years of life lost due to premature mortality rate in China was much more pronounced than globally. From 1990 to 2019, the ASIR and ASPR in China showed an upward trend, with AAPCs of 1.80% and 4.19%, respectively. Over the past 30 years, the incidence among young and middle-aged individuals in China has increased, indicating a trend toward younger age at onset. In all periods, the risk of incidence, prevalence, and death in males was significantly higher than in females. Conclusion: In summary, the disease burden of NPC in China remains significant. Therefore, continued attention and strengthening of risk factor control, along with strategies for early diagnosis and treatment, are essential.

Hydrogen-rich water (HRW) has shown neuroprotective effects in acute brain injury, but its role in chronic radiation-induced brain injury (RIBI) remains unclear. This study investigated the long-term efficacy of HRW in mitigating cognitive impairment and neuronal damage caused by chronic RIBI. Fifty male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: control, irradiation (IR), IR with memantine, IR with HRW, and IR with combined treatment. All but the control group received 20 Gy whole-brain X-ray irradiation, followed by daily interventions for 60 days. Behavioral assessments, histopathological analyses, oxidative stress measurements, ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT imaging, transcriptomic sequencing, RT-qPCR, Western blot, and serum ELISA were performed. HRW significantly improved anxiety-like behavior, memory, and learning performance compared to the IR group. Histological results revealed that HRW reduced neuronal swelling, degeneration, and loss and enhanced dendritic spine density and neurogenesis. PET/CT imaging showed increased hippocampal glucose uptake in the IR group, which was alleviated by HRW treatment. Transcriptomic and molecular analyses indicated that HRW modulated key genes and proteins, including CD44, CD74, SPP1, and Wnt1, potentially through the MIF, Wnt, and SPP1 signaling pathways. Serum CD44 levels were also lower in treated rats, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for chronic RIBI. These findings demonstrate that HRW can alleviate chronic RIBI by preserving neuronal structure, reducing inflammation, and enhancing neuroplasticity, supporting its potential as a therapeutic strategy for radiation-induced cognitive impairment.