University of Tennessee is studying canine, equine stem-cell use

Last month, news outlets reported Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning had flown to Europe to have stem cells injected in his injured neck.

The treatment — in which Manning would have given a blood or tissue sample, and his own stem cells would have been grown in a culture, isolated and injected back into his neck with the hope they’d decrease inflammation or even regenerate tissue faster — is not yet approved in the United States. The Federal Drug Administration puts biologic products under its purview, and it says there’s not yet enough evidence the procedure is either safe or effective. But some professional athletes — including Manning and fellow veteran NFL player Terrell Owens — have gone out of the country to get it. Read more…