Coexistence of simple and mixed bile salt-lecithin micelles: an NMR self-diffusion study

The aggregation behavior of bile salt and lecithin in aqueous solutions at 20 degrees C was studied from bile salt, lecithin, and aggregate self-diffusion coefficients obtained by means of a Fourier-transform NMR pulsed-gradient spin-echo technique. The results strongly support the coexistence of simple bile salt micelles and mixed bile salt-lecithin micelles under physiologic conditions.