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

Research Fellow

BSc(Hons), PhD, DPH (Otago)

Email juliet.pullar@otago.ac.nz
Tel +64 3 364 1559

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.

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.

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Publications

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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., 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

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

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

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

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. 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). 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., 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

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

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., 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. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 277(22), 19402-19407.

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.

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., 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

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

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

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

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

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

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., 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

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., 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]