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.
More recently Dr Pullar has been working with Professor Margreet Vissers investigating the biological functions of vitamin C. This has allowed her to gain further expertise in carrying out human studies. Her current projects include investigating the use of red blood cell ascorbate as an indicator of vitamin C status, understanding the pharmacokinetics of vitamin C in the skin, and the role of vitamin C in the healing of chronic wounds.
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.
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
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
Journal - Research Article
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.
Chapter in Book - Research
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.
Chapter in Book - Research
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.
Chapter in Book - Research
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
Journal - Research Other
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
Journal - Research Article
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
Journal - Research Article
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 Article
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
Journal - Research Other
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
Journal - Research Article
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 Article
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.
Chapter in Book - Research
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
Journal - Research Article
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
Journal - Research Article
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
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
Journal - Research Article
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]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
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
Journal - Research Article
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
Journal - Research Other
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]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: 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 - Published proceedings: Abstract
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.
Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)
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 - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)
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.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
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
Journal - Research Other
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
Journal - Research Other
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
Journal - Research Article
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
Journal - Research Article
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 Article
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
Chapter in Book - Research
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
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
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
Journal - Research Article
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
Journal - Research Article
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/
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
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.
Journal - Research Article
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.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
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.
Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)
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.
Journal - Research Article
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 - Published proceedings: Abstract
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.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
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.
Journal - Research Article
Pullar, J. M., & Hampton, M. B. (2002). Diphenyleneiodonium triggers the efflux of glutathione from cultured cells. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 277(22), 19402-19407.
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
Journal - Research Article
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.
Awarded Doctoral Degree
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.
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.
Journal - Research Article
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.
Journal - Research Article
Research Fellow