Objective      To test the biocompatibility of type I collagen and polyvinyl alcohol (Col-Ⅰ/PVA) co-polymerizing filature.       Methods      Mouse fibroblast L-929 cells were cultured in the medium containing 100% or 50% consistency Col-Ⅰ/PVA co-polymerizing filature leaching liquor. Those cells cultured in normal medium or in the medium contain 0.5% phenol solution served as blank control and positive control

respectively. MTT assay was used to test absorbance value of the cells on the 1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

and 7th day. Thus

relative growth rate (RGR) of the cells was calculated

and their cytotoxicity was graded. Direct contact method was used to culture L-929 cells directly on Col-Ⅰ/PVA co-polymerizing filature. The cell growth was observed by inverted microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Col-Ⅰ/PVA co-polymerizing filature and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fiber were respectively implanted subcutaneously into KM mice. Specimens were harvested at 1st

3rd and 9th postoperative week for gross observation

and histological changes through HE and Mallory triple staining.        Results      Relative growth rate of the cells in 100% and 50% consistency Col-Ⅰ/PVA co-polymerizing filature leaching liquor varied from 90% to 123.61% at different time points. Cytotoxicity of Col-Ⅰ/PVA co-polymerizing filature was graded at 0 to Ⅰ. The cells were cultured together with Col-Ⅰ/PVA co-polymerizing filature by means of direct contact. The growth of these cells was in good condition

with normal shapes and attaching to Col-Ⅰ/PVA co-polymerizing filature. Capsules were formed around both subcutaneously implanted Col-Ⅰ/PVA co-polymerizing filature and PET fiber at 1st

3rd and 9th week

with their transparency increasing with the elapse of time. The inflammatory cells around the capsule were mainly neutrophilic granulocytes

macrophages and lymphocytes

whose amounts were obviously decreased with the extension of time.        Conclusion      Col-Ⅰ/PVA co-polymerizing filature has good biocompatibility. Its cytotoxicity and histocompatibility are within the permission of clinical application.