Dr Juliet Pullar, Our people, University of Otago, Christchurch

Research Fellow

PhD (Otago), BSc(Hons) (Cant), PGDip Public Health (Otago)

Research interests

Dr Juliet Pullar obtained her PhD at the University of Otago, Christchurch under the supervision of Professors' Margreet Vissers and Christine Winterbourn. Her work was focused on thiol biochemistry, uncovering targets of the neutrophil-derived oxidant hypochlorous acid in endothelial cells.

Dr Pullar continued onto a NZ Science and Technology Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Centre for Free Radical Research with Professor Mark Hampton studying the redox regulation of apoptosis. She has expertise in cell biology, cell culture, flow cytometry, ELISA, HPLC, spectrophotometry, microscopy, neutrophil function, fertility analysis, electrophoresis and western blotting.

Her research is focused on the biology of vitamin C and its role in health and disease. Recent work has focused on the use of red blood cell ascorbate as an indicator of vitamin C status, the pharmacokinetics of vitamin C in the skin and during intravenous vitamin C infusion, and the role of vitamin C in the healing of chronic wounds.

She is also interested in the function of vitamin C in immune cells, with current research exploring the ability of ascorbate to modulate macrophage phenotype.

She completed a Diploma in Public Health in 2010. Dr Pullar teaches part of the BBiomedSc(Hons) programme, has co-supervised three summer students and is currently co-supervising one PhD student and one Masters student.

Affiliations

Publications

Topham, B., de Vries, M., Nonis, M., van Berkel, R., Pullar, J. M., Magon, N. J., Vissers, M. C. M., Currie, M. J., Robinson, B. A., Gibbs, D., Ang, A., & Dachs, G. U. (2024). Blood vitamin C levels of patients receiving immunotherapy and relationship to monocyte subtype and epigenetic modification. Epigenomes, 8, 17. doi: 10.3390/epigenomes8020017 Journal - Research Article

Vissers, M. C. M., & Pullar, J. M. (2022). Re-opening old wounds: Vitamin C and wound healing deserve a re-examination. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 115, 1-2. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqab300 Journal - Research Other

Carr, A. C., Bozonet, S., Pullar, J., Spencer, E., Rosengrave, P., & Shaw, G. (2021). Neutrophils isolated from septic patients exhibit elevated uptake of vitamin C and normal intracellular concentrations despite a low vitamin C milieu. Antioxidants, 10(10), 1607. doi: 10.3390/antiox10101607 Journal - Research Article

Pearson, A. G., Pullar, J. M., Cook, J., Spencer, E. S., Vissers, M. C. M., Carr, A. C., & Hampton, M. B. (2021). Peroxiredoxin 2 oxidation reveals hydrogen peroxide generation within erythrocytes during high-dose vitamin C administration. Redox Biology, 43, 101980. doi: 10.1016/j.redox.2021.101980 Journal - Research Article

Fletcher, B. D., Flett, J. A. M., Wickham, S.-R., Pullar, J. M., Vissers, M. C. M., & Conner, T. S. (2021). Initial evidence of variation by ethnicity in the relationship between vitamin C status and mental states in young adults. Nutrients, 13, 792. doi: 10.3390/nu13030792 Journal - Research Article

2024

Journal - Research Article

2022

Journal - Research Other

Vissers, M. C. M., & Pullar, J. M. (2022). Re-opening old wounds: Vitamin C and wound healing deserve a re-examination. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 115, 1-2. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqab300

2021

Journal - Research Article

Dachs, G. U., Gandhi, J., Wohlrab, C., Carr, A. C., Morrin, H. R., Pullar, J. M., Bayer, S. B., Eglinton, T. W., Robinson, B. A., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2021). Vitamin C administration by intravenous infusion increases tumor ascorbate content in patients with colon cancer: A clinical intervention study. Frontiers in Oncology, 10, 600715. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2020.600715

2020

Chapter in Book - Research

Pullar, J. M., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2020). Role of Vitamin C in chronic wound healing. In Q. Chen & M. C. M. Vissers (Eds.), Vitamin C: New biochemical and functional insights. (pp. 161-179). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.

Ang, A., Vissers, M. C. M., & Pullar, J. M. (2020). Vitamin C in immune cell function. In Q. Chen & M. C. M. Vissers (Eds.), Vitamin C: New biochemical and functional insights. (pp. 137-159). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.

Vissers, M. C. M., Pullar, J. M., & Smirnoff, N. (2020). Chemistry and biochemistry of vitamin C in mammalian systems. In Q. Chen & M. C. M. Vissers (Eds.), Vitamin C: New biochemical and functional insights. (pp. 25-37). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.

Journal - Research Article

Conner, T. S., Fletcher, B. D., Haszard, J. J., Pullar, J. M., Spencer, E., Mainvil, L. A., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2020). KiwiC for vitality: Results of a placebo-controlled trial testing the effects of kiwifruit or vitamin C tablets on vitality in adults with low vitamin C levels. Nutrients, 12, 2898. doi: 10.3390/nu12092898

White, R., Nonis, M., Pearson, J. F., Burgess, E., Morrin, H. R., Pullar, J. M., Spencer, E., Vissers, M. C. M., Robinson, B. A., & Dachs, G. U. (2020). Low vitamin C status in patients with cancer is associated with patient and tumor characteristics. Nutrients, 12(8), 2338. doi: 10.3390/nu12082338

Pullar, J. M., Dunham, S., Dachs, G. U., Vissers, M. C. M., & Carr, A. C. (2020). Erythrocyte ascorbate is a potential indicator of steady-state plasma ascorbate concentrations in healthy non-fasting individuals. Nutrients, 12(2), 418. doi: 10.3390/nu12020418

Journal - Research Other

Pullar, J. M., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2020). Re: "Micronutrient status of diabetic patients with food ulcers" by Pena et al. Advances in Wound Care, 10(1), 49-50. doi: 10.1089/wound.2020.1184

2018

Chapter in Book - Research

Vissers, M. C. M., Pullar, J. M., & Peskin, A. V. (2018). Myeloperoxidase-derived oxidants hypochlorous acid and chloramines: Microbicidal marvels and inflammatory mischief makers. In M. C. M. Vissers, M. B. Hampton & A. J. Kettle (Eds.), Hydrogen peroxide metabolism in health and disease. (pp. 305-326). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.

Journal - Research Article

Pullar, J. M., Carr, A. C., Bozonet, S. M., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2018). High vitamin C status is associated with elevated mood in male tertiary students. Antioxidants, 7(7), 91. doi: 10.3390/antiox7070091

Pullar, J. M., Bayer, S., & Carr, A. C. (2018). Appropriate handling, processing and analysis of blood samples is essential to avoid oxidation of vitamin C to dehydroascorbic acid. Antioxidants, 7(2), 29. doi: 10.3390/antiox7020029

Journal - Research Other

Ang, A., Pullar, J. M., Currie, M. J., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2018). Vitamin C and immune cell function in inflammation and cancer. Biochemical Society Transactions, 46, 1147-1159. doi: 10.1042/bst20180169

2017

Journal - Research Article

Pullar, J. M., Carr, A. C., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2017). The roles of vitamin C in skin health. Nutrients, 9(8), 866. doi: 10.3390/nu9080866

Pearson, J. F., Pullar, J. M., Wilson, R., Spittlehouse, J. K., Vissers, M. C. M., Skidmore, P. M. L., Willis, J., Cameron, V. A., & Carr, A. C. (2017). Vitamin C status correlates with markers of metabolic and cognitive health in 50-year-olds: Findings of the CHALICE Cohort Study. Nutrients, 9(8), 831. doi: 10.3390/nu9080831

Pullar, J. M., Carr, A. C., Bozonet, S. M., Rosengrave, P., Kettle, A. J., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2017). Elevated seminal plasma myeloperoxidase is associated with a decreased sperm concentration in young men. Andrology, 5(3), 431-438. doi: 10.1111/andr.12327

2016

Journal - Research Article

Carr, A. C., Pullar, J. M., Bozonet, S. M., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2016). Marginal ascorbate status (Hypovitaminosis C) results in an attenuated response to vitamin C supplementation. Nutrients, 8(6), 341. doi: 10.3390/nu8060341

2015

Journal - Research Article

Bozonet, S. M., Carr, A. C., Pullar, J. M., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2015). Enhanced human neutrophil vitamin C status, chemotaxis and oxidant generation following dietary supplementation with vitamin C-rich SunGold kiwifruit. Nutrients, 7(4), 2574-2588. doi: 10.3390/nu7042574

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Carr, A., Pullar, J., Bozonet, S., & Vissers, M. (2015). Marginal ascorbate status (hypovitaminosis C) results in an attenuated response to supplementation. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society of Australia, 39, (pp. 71). Sydney, Australia: Nutrition Society of Australia. [Abstract]

2014

Journal - Research Other

Carr, A., Pullar, J., Forbes, L., & Rosengrave, P. (2014). Working mothers are disadvantaged by limited funding for health research. New Zealand Medical Journal, 127(1398). Retrieved from http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

2013

Chapter in Book - Research

Vissers, M. C. M., Carr, A. C., Pullar, J. M., & Bozonet, S. M. (2013). The bioavailability of vitamin C from kiwifruit. In M. Boland & P. J. Moughan (Eds.), Nutritional benefits of kiwifruit. (pp. 125-147). Waltham, MA: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-12-394294-4.00007-9

Journal - Research Article

Carr, A. C., Bozonet, S. M., Pullar, J. M., Simcock, J. W., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2013). A randomized steady-state bioavailability study of synthetic versus natural (kiwifruit-derived) vitamin C. Nutrients, 5(9), 3684-3695. doi: 10.3390/nu5093684

Carr, A. C., Bozonet, S. M., Pullar, J. M., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2013). Mood improvement in young adult males following supplementation with gold kiwifruit, a high-vitamin C food. Journal of Nutritional Science, 2, e24. doi: 10.1017/jns.2013.12

Carr, A. C., Bozonet, S. M., Pullar, J. M., Simcock, J. W., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2013). Human skeletal muscle ascorbate is highly responsive to changes in vitamin C intake and plasma concentrations. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 97, 800-807. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.112.053207

Journal - Research Other

Pullar, J. M., Carr, A. C., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2013). Vitamin C supplementation and kidney stone risk. New Zealand Medical Journal, 126(1384). Retrieved from http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Carr, A. C., Pullar, J. M., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2013). Beating the blues: The association between fruit and vegetable intake and improved mood. New Zealand Medical Journal, 126(1384). Retrieved from http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Carr, A. C., Bozonet, S. M., Pullar, J. M., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2013). Mood and vitality improvement in young adult males following supplementation with gold kiwifruit, a high vitamin C food. Australasian Medical Journal, 6(11), (pp. 667). [Abstract]

Carr, A. C., Pullar, J. M., Bozonet, S. M., Moran, S., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2013). Bioavailability of vitamin C from a common food source (kiwifruit) in young adult males. Australasian Medical Journal, 6(11), (pp. 658). [Abstract]

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Carr, A. C., Bozonet, S. M., Pullar, J. M., Simcock, J. W., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2013, August). Human skeletal muscle ascorbate is highly responsive to changes in vitamin C intake and plasma concentrations. Poster session presented at the Queenstown Molecular Biology (QMB) Meetings, Queenstown, New Zealand.

Carr, A. C., Bozonet, S. M., Pullar, J. M., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2013, August). Mood improvement and reduced fatigue in young adult males following supplementation with kiwifruit, a high vitamin C food. Poster session presented at the Queenstown Molecular Biology (QMB) Meetings, Queenstown, New Zealand.

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Vissers, M. C. M., Kuiper, C., Dachs, G. U., Campbell, E., Pujary, U.-R., Bozonet, S. M., Pullar, J. M., & Carr, A. C. (2013, August). The role of vitamin C in managing metabolic stress and its impact in tumour biology and inflammation. Verbal presentation at the Queenstown Molecular Biology (QMB) Meetings, Queenstown, New Zealand.

2012

Journal - Research Article

Carr, A. C., Pullar, J. M., Moran, S., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2012). Bioavailability of vitamin C from kiwifruit in non-smoking males: Determination of ‘healthy’ and ‘optimal’ intakes. Journal of Nutritional Science, 1, e14. doi: 10.1017/jns.2012.15

2009

Journal - Research Article

Cox, A. G., Pearson, A. G., Pullar, J. M., Jönsson, T. J., Lowther, W. T., Winterbourn, C. C., & Hampton, M. B. (2009). Mitochondrial peroxiredoxin 3 is more resilient to hyperoxidation than cytoplasmic peroxiredoxins. Biochemical Journal, 421(1), 51-58. doi: 10.1042/BJ20090242

2008

Journal - Research Article

Cox, A. G., Pullar, J. M., Hughes, G., Ledgerwood, E. C., & Hampton, M. B. (2008). Oxidation of mitochondrial peroxiredoxin 3 during the initiation of receptor-mediated apoptosis. Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 44(6), 1001-1009. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2007.11.017

Thomson, S. J., Cox, A. G., Cuddihy, S. L., Pullar, J. M., & Hampton, M. B. (2008). Inhibition of receptor-mediated apoptosis upon Bcl-2 overexpression is not associated with increased antioxidant status. Biochemical & Biophysical Research Communications, 375(1), 145-150. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2008.07.133

2007

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Cox, A. G., Pullar, J. M., Hughes, G., Ledgerwood, E. C., & Hampton, M. B. (2007). Mitochondrial peroxiredoxin 3 is oxidized during Fas and TNF-a mediated apoptosis. Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 98th Annual Meeting. Retrieved from http://www.aacrmeetingabstracts.org/

2006

Journal - Research Article

Thomson, S. J., Brown, K. K., Pullar, J. M., & Hampton, M. B. (2006). Phenethyl isothiocyanate triggers apoptosis in Jurkat cells made resistant by the overexpression of Bcl-2. Cancer Research, 66(13), 6772-6777.

2005

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Pullar, J. M., Baty, J. W., Csordas, A., Winterbourn, C. C., & Hampton, M. B. (2005, December). Oxidation of thiol proteins in cultured cells: Comparison of H₂O₂ with receptor-mediated signalling. Verbal presentation at the 3rd Joint Meeting of the Society for Free Radical Research Australasia and Japan, Queensland, Australia.

2004

Journal - Research Article

Pullar, J. M., Thomson, S. J., King, M. J., Turnbull, C. I., Midwinter, R. G., & Hampton, M. B. (2004). The chemopreventive agent phenethyl isothiocyanate sensitizes cells to Fas-mediated apoptosis. Carcinogenesis, 25(5), 765-772.

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Thomson, S. J., Pullar, J. M., & Hampton, M. B. (2004, December). Phenethyl isothiocyanate triggers apoptosis in cells over-expressing Bcl-2. Poster session presented at the 13th Annual Conference of the Society for Free Radical Research (Australasia), Christchurch, New Zealand.

2002

Journal - Research Article

Pullar, J., Winterbourn, C. C., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2002). The effect of hypochlorous acid on the expression of adhesion molecules and activation of NF-_κ in cultured human endothelial cells. Antioxidants & Redox Signaling, 4(1), 5-15.

Pullar, J. M., & Hampton, M. B. (2002). Diphenyleneiodonium triggers the efflux of glutathione from cultured cells. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 277(22), 19402-19407.

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Pullar, J. M., & Hampton, M. B. (2002). Diphenyleneiodonium triggers the efflux of glutathione from cultured cells. Free Radical Biology and Medicine. 33(Suppl. 1), (pp. S91-S92). [Abstract]

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Thomson, S. J., Pullar, J., Baty, J. W., & Winterbourn, C. C. (2002, November). Monitoring oxidation of the thiol proteins during apoptosis. Verbal presentation at the Microbes and Molecules Conference, Christchurch, New Zealand.

2001

Journal - Research Article

Pullar, J. M., Vissers, M. C. M., & Winterbourn, C. C. (2001). Glutathione oxidation by hypochlorous acid in endothelial cells produces glutathione sulfonamide as a major product but not glutathione disulfide. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 276(25), 22120-22125. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M102088200

2000

Journal - Research Article

Pullar, J. M., Vissers, M. C. M., & Winterbourn, C. C. (2000). Living with a killer: The effects of hypochlorous acid on mammalian cells. IUBMB Life, 50, 259-266.

Awarded Doctoral Degree

Pullar, J. M. (2000). The reaction of hypochlorous acid with human endothelial cells; consequencees and identification of targets (PhD). University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.

1999

Journal - Research Article

Vissers, M. C. M., Pullar, J. M., & Hampton, M. B. (1999). Hypochlorous acid causes caspase activation and apoptosis or growth arrest in human endothelial cells. Biochemical Journal, 344, 443-449.

Pullar, J. M., Winterbourn, C. C., & Vissers, M. C. M. (1999). Loss of GSH and thiol enzymes in endothelial cellls exposed to sublethal concentrations of hypochlorous acid. American Journal of Physiology: Heart & Circulatory Physiology, 277, H1505-H1512.