The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effects of green tea catechin on microsomal phospholipase A₂(PLA₂) activity and the arachidonic acid (AA) cascade in hearts of microwave exposed rats. Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing 100±10 g were randomly assigned to one normal group and three microwave exposed groups. The microwave exposed groups were subdivided into three groups: catechin free diet (MW) group, 0.25% catechin (MW?0.25C group and 0.5% catechin (MW-0.5C) group according to the levels of dietary catechin supplementation. Rats were sacrificed 6<SUP>th</SUP> day after microwave irradiations (2.45 GHz, 15 min). The heart microsome PLA₂ activity in the MW group was 130% greater than that of normal groups, whereas there was no significant difference between normal group and MW-0.25C, MW-0.5C group. The per- centage phosphatidyl ethanolamine (PE) hydrolyzed in the heart microsome in the MW was increased 54% by microwave irra- diation, whereas there was no significant difference between normal group and MW-0.5C group. The percentage phosphatidyl choline (PC) hydrolyzed in the heart microsome in the MW group was increased by 104% and by microwave irradiation, whereas there was no significant difference between normal group and MW-0.5C group. The formation of thromboxane A2(TXA₂) in the heart microsome was 70% greater in the MW group than in the normal group. However, the MW-0.25C and MW-0.5C group maintained the normal level. The formation of prostacyclin (PGI₂) in the heart microsome was 21% lower in the MW group than in the normal group, while that of MW-0.25C and MW-0.5C group were maintained in the normal group. The heart microsomal thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) concentrations, as an index of lipid peroxide, were 71% greater in the MW group, as compared with normal group. However, the MW-0.25C and MW-0.5C group were 4.6% and 9.2% lower, respectively, than that of MW group. In conclusion, heart function appeared to be improved by green tea catechin supplementation due to its antithrombus action, which in return controls the AA cascade system.