ObjectiveTo evaluate the biocompatibility of poly lactic acid/bone matrix gelatin (PLA/BMG) composite biomaterial so as to lay a foundation for bone defect repair. MethodsRats'MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured with leaching solution of PLA/BMG and PLA material respectively for 7 days. The cell proliferation rate was tested by MTT and cell toxicity grading was carried out everyday. The PLA/BMG and MC3T3-E1 cells were co-cultured, the cell shape and proliferation were observed by inverted phase contrast microscope at 1, 3, and 5 days and cell adhesion by scanning electron microscope at 5 days. The PLA and PLA/BMG were implanted subcutaneously in 15 Wistar rats. The histological observation was done, and the thickness of fibrous membrane, the number of inflammatory cells, and the vascularization area were measured at postoperative 2nd, 4th, and 8th week. ResultsThe tests for cytotoxicity in vitro showed that the cell proliferation rates were over 100% and the cell cytotoxic grades were grade 0 at 1-7 days in PLA/BMG group. While in PLA group, the cell proliferation rates were less than 100% and the cell cytotoxic grades were grade 1 at 2, 4, and 7 days. After co-culture of PLA/BMG and MC3T3-E1 cells, cells grew on the surface and in the pores of PLA/BMG, and the cellular morphology was triangle or polygon with abundant microvillus on the surface. After subcutaneous implantation, the rats survived to the end of experiment, and incision healed well. PLA was wrapped by connective tissue where there were a lot of lymphocytes and neutrophilic granulocytes. The cells and tissue grew slowly in PLA. The PLA/BMG materials were wrapped by little connective tissue where there were a few inflammatory cells. The connective tissue ingrowth was observed in the center of PLA/BMG. There was no significant difference in the thickness of fibrous membrane between 2 groups at each time point (P>0.05). The number of inflammatory cells of PLA/BMG group were significantly less than those in PLA group at 2, 4, and 8 weeks (P<0.05); the vascularization area was significantly larger than that in PLA group (P<0.05). ConclusionPLA/BMG composite biomaterials prepared by super critical-CO2 technique are good in cell and tissue biocompatibilty.