Green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate increases atherosclerotic plaque stability in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice fed a high-fat diet.

Background: Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which is the principal component of green tea, has been shown to prevent atherosclerosis. However, the effect of EGCG on atherosclerotic plaque stability remains unknown.

Aim: This study aimed to assess whether EGCG can enhance atherosclerotic plaque stability and to investigate the underlying mechanisms.