title: Production and characterization of natural rubber-Ca/P blends for biomedical purposes.
abstract: This study presents the development of natural rubber-Ca/P blends, as promising candidates for biomedical purposes. The specific objective was the incorporation of Ca/P into a natural rubber polymeric matrix. Ca/P crystalline phases were synthesized by the sol-gel method and the polymeric matrices were produced using natural rubber extracted from latex of the Hevea brasiliensis. The shape and size of natural rubber particles present in the NR membrane, as well as, the way the Ca/P powder grains aggregate in the polymeric matrix were investigated, giving information about the interactions between the Ca/P and the natural rubber particles. Confocal fluorescence scanning microscopy measurements allowed us to propose a structure where the Ca/P grains are surrounded by natural rubber particles. This structure may mediate Ca(2+) release for tissue regeneration. The system investigated may open new horizons for development of a bandage which provides the controlled-release of biomaterials.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Física,Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil; Departamento de Física, Universidade Estadual Paulista, 13506-900 Rio Claro, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Nascimento
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Física,Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: F L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Faita
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, UNESP, Departamento de Física, Química e Biologia, CP 467, CEP 19060-080, Presidente Prudente, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: D L S
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Agostini
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, UNESP, Departamento de Física, Química e Biologia, CP 467, CEP 19060-080, Presidente Prudente, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Job
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Física e Ciência dos Materiais,Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, 1356-6590, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: F E G
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Guimarães
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Física,Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: I H
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Bechtold
mesh_terms: D020811:Biomedical Technology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D028482:Hevea / Q000737:chemistry; D007840:Latex / Q000737:chemistry; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D012408:Rubber / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D002130:Calcium Phosphates; D007840:Latex; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011506:Proteins; D012408:Rubber; C020243:calcium phosphate
keywords: Biomaterial; Calcium phosphate; Natural rubber; Tissue regeneration