Research FellowResearch 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.
Publications
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
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
Conner, T. S., Fletcher, B. D., Pullar, J. M., Spencer, E., Mainvil, L. A., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2020). KiwiC for vitality: Results of a randomized 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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
Conner, T. S., Fletcher, B. D., Pullar, J. M., Spencer, E., Mainvil, L. A., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2020). KiwiC for vitality: Results of a randomized 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
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
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
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
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
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). 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., 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
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
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
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
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.
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.
Pullar, J. M., & Hampton, M. B. (2002). Diphenyleneiodonium triggers the efflux of glutathione from cultured cells. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 277(22), 19402-19407.
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., 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
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.
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.
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 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
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
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
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., 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]
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]
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/
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 - 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.
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 - 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.
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.
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.
