Saska, S. [UNESP]Barud, H. S. [UNESP]Gaspar, A. M M [UNESP]Marchetto, Reinaldo [UNESP]Ribeiro, Sidney José Lima [UNESP]Messaddeq, Younes [UNESP]2014-05-272014-05-272011-11-24International Journal of Biomaterials.1687-87871687-8795http://hdl.handle.net/11449/72814The aim of this study was to develop and to evaluate the biological properties of bacterial cellulose-hydroxyapatite (BC-HA) nanocomposite membranes for bone regeneration. Nanocomposites were prepared from bacterial cellulose membranes sequentially incubated in solutions of CaCl2 followed by Na2HPO4. BC-HA membranes were evaluated in noncritical bone defects in rat tibiae at 1, 4, and 16 weeks. Thermogravimetric analyses showed that the amount of the mineral phase was 40-50 of the total weight. Spectroscopy, electronic microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray analyses, and X-ray diffraction showed formation of HA crystals on BC nanofibres. Low crystallinity HA crystals presented Ca/P a molar ratio of 1.5 (calcium-deficient HA), similar to physiological bone. Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy analysis showed bands assigned to phosphate and carbonate ions. In vivo tests showed no inflammatory reaction after 1 week. After 4 weeks, defects were observed to be completely filled in by new bone tissue. The BC-HA membranes were effective for bone regeneration. © 2011 S. Saska et al.engArtigo10.1155/2011/175362Acesso aberto2-s2.0-815552209062-s2.0-81555220906.pdf5711182251641103644604746303465429985038419178150000-0003-3286-9440