David Møbjerg Kristensen

Kort præsentation

David M. Kristensen performed his PhD and his first post doc at the Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet (RH), investigating the embryonic origin of testicular cancer and the widespread occurrence of reproductive problems. During these studies, he has first-authored several articles indicating a connection between male reproductive problems and intrauterine exposure to mild analgesics such as paracetamol. After initiating post doc at Department of Biomedical Sciences he has begun also to focus on the environmental component of the increasing obesity epidemic worldwide. 

Primære forskningsområder

Over the last few years, we have come to realize that so-called painkillers (mild analgesics; e.g. paracetamol, aspirin, and ibuprofen) may have a potent disrupting effects on the hormonal homeostasis, leading to congenital malformation (malformation of newborns) in both animals and humans through anti-androgenic mechanisms (Kristensen et al., 2010; Kristensen et al., 2012). This new area of research has alarming perspectives as around the world use of mild analgesics is increasing - not only in the general public but also among the pregnant women (Thiele et al., 2013).

Furthermore, recently published data have unveiled that the public is exposed to paracetamol in large amounts through conversion of ailine in the diet (Modrik et al., 2013). The analgesics are inhibitors of the prostaglandin pathway and in this way relieve pain. We have shown that classics endocrine disruptive compounds such as phthalates, parabenes, and benzophenones are all powerful inhibitors of this same prostaglandin pathway (Kristensen et al., 2011; Kristensen et al., 2012). We therefore propose that the analgesic compounds and classic endocrine disruptors all converge inhibiting the prostaglandin pathway, resulting in endocrine disruption and hence malformations. Our new data indicate possible mechanisms behind this pathophysiological mechanism and raise important questions concerning the exposure to mild analgesics in general!   

Kort præsentation

Education

• Master of Science (Biology), KU (2006)
  
  
• PhD (Health Sciences), KU (2010)
  
  

Employment

• 2007-2010: PhD student, Department of Growth and Reproduction, RH.
  
  
• 2010: Post doc, Department of Growth and Reproduction, RH.
  
  
• 2011- present: 3 year post doc fellowship granted from the Danish Research Councils to be shared between the Department of Biomedical Sciences, KU and INSERM (France).
  
  

Scientific journals, societies, supervision, and awards

Reviewer for several international journals within the areas of stem cell biology, endocrine disruption, and environmental exposures: Journal of Cellular Biochemistry; Toxicological Sciences; BMC Ecology; Human Reproduction; Molecular Human Reproduction. Received in 2006 first prize during the Novo Scholarship Program and in 2007 KU’s Gold Medal. Was in 2008 first prize winner at Danish Society for Reproduction and Foetal Development and furthermore in 2010 elected the best poster presenter at Rigshospitalet. Received in 2010 the honorary title of Best PhD at the Faculty of Health Sciences, KU.

Publications and presentations

14 papers published in international peer-reviewed journals (H-index 8), 4 non peer-reviewed articles, and have given 5 invited lectures.

Five selected publications

• Kristensen, D.M., …., Skakkebaek, N.E., Graem, N., Jacobsen, G.K., Rajpert-De Meyts, E., Leffers, H. (2008). Presumed pluripotency markers UTF-1 and REX-1 are expressed in human adult testes and germ cell neoplasms. Hum. Reprod. 23, 775-782.
  
  
• Kristensen, D.M., …., Brunak, S., Skakkebaek, N.E., Leffers, H. (2010). OCT4 and downstream factors are expressed in human somatic urogenital epithelia and in culture of epididymal spheres. Mol. Hum. Reprod. 16, 835-845.
  
  
• Kristensen, D.M., …., Brunak, S., Skakkebaek, N.E., Nellemann, C., Main, K.M., Jégou, B., Leffers, H. (2011). Intrauterine exposure to mild analgesics is a risk factor for development of male reproductive disorders in human and rat. Hum. Reprod. 26, 235-244.
  
  
• Kristensen, D.M., …., Skakkebaek, N.E., Jégou, B., Hansen, J.B., Junker, S., Leffers, H. (2011). Many putative endocrine disruptors inhibit prostaglandin synthesis. Environ. Health Perspect. 119, 534-541.
  
  
• Kristensen, D.M., …., Le Fol, Desdoits-Lethimonier C., Dejucq-Rainsford N.,  Leffers H., Jegou B. (2012). Paracetamol (acetaminophen), aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) and indomethacin are anti-androgenic in the rat foetal testis. Inter. Jour. Andro. 35, 377–384.