The ideal scaffolds should contain growth factors and thus can regulate cellular behaviors and tissue assembly. Electrospun fibrous membranes are widely-used scaffolds but growth factors are highly susceptible to losing their bioactivity during the electrospinning process. In this study, pre-formulated dextran glassy nanoparticles (DGNs) loaded with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were electrospun into a poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) copolymer fiber to secure the bioactivity of bFGF in a sustained manner and then bioactivity retention was certificated by promoting cell proliferation and tendon healing. Meanwhile, the barrier effect of electrospun membrane was evaluated for clinic concern. In the in vitro release study, the protein encapsulation efficiency of the bFGF/DGNs-PLLA membrane reached 48.71 +/- 13.53%, with a release kinetic of nearly 30 days. The enhanced cell proliferation and intrinsic tendon healing show that the bFGF/DGNs-loaded PLLA fibrous membrane can release bFGF sustainably and secure the bioactivity of bFGF better than the emulsion electrospun bFGF-loaded PLLA and PLLA fibrous membranes. Meanwhile, the anti-adhesion effect of electrospun membrane as barrier was fortunately combined as clinic concern. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.