Abstract: Objective To fabricate a small diameter tubular scaffold of P (LLA-CL)/fibrinogen by electrospinning fiber technique, to evaluate the biocompatibility of the P (LLA-CL)/fibrinogen scaffold and its feasibility for vascular tissue engineering. Methods A small diameter tubular scaffold was fabricated by co-electrospinning blend of P (LLA-CL) and Fibrinogen. Gross morphology of the scaffold was observed and the 3-dimensional structure was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Biocompatibilities of the tubular scaffold were evaluated in vivo and in vitro by acute hemolysis test, cytotoxicity test, and short-term test of subcutanous implantation. Results A randomly oriented nanofibrous structure with a well interconnected network of pores was observed. The diameter of the fiber at the outer surface was 318 ±56 nm and the average pore diameter was 4.56 ±1.23 μm; Hemolysis rate was 2.87%±0.49%; There was no significant difference of cytotoxicity between the P (LLA-CL)/fibrinogen tubular scaffold and negative control group (P>0.05). After the placement in rat subcutaneous pouches, the scaffolds were gradually biodegraded with little inflammatory reaction. Conclusion The P (LLA-CL)/fibrinogen tubular scaffold can be fabricated by electrospinning fiber technique. It has good biocompatibility and could be potentially used as vascular tissue engineering scaffold material.

Key words: Electrospinning, Tubular scaffold, Poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone), Fibrinogen, Biocompatibility