Burn trauma to the extremities can produce marked systemic effects in mice1, 6, 7. Burn injury to the dorsal surface of mice is also associated with changes in glucose metabolism (18FDG uptake) by brown adipose tissue (BAT) and NF-κB activity in a number of tissues including skeletal muscle. This study examined the effect of a single hindlimb burn in mice on 18FDG uptake by in vivo, NF-κB activity in vivo, and blood flow determined by laser Doppler techniques. Male mice NF-κB luciferase reporter mice (28 grams- 30 grams, male) were anesthetized, both legs were shaven, and the right leg was subjected to scald injury by immersion in 90°C water for 5 seconds. Sham treated animals were used as controls. Each burned and sham mouse was resuscitated with saline (2 ml, IP). The individual animals were placed in wire bottom cages with no food and free access to water. 24 hrs later, the animals were imaged with Laser Doppler for measurements of blood flow in the hind limb. The animals were then injected unanesthetized with 50 µCi of FDG or luciferin (1.0 mg), I.V. via tail vein. Five minutes after luciferin injection, NF-kB mice were studied by bioluminescence imaging with a CCD camera. One hour after 18FDG injection the animals were euthanized with carbon dioxide overdose and 18FDG biodistribution was measured. Tissues were also analyzed for NF-κB luciferase activity. The scalding procedure used here produced a full thickness burn injury to the leg with sharp margins. 18FDG uptake by the burned leg was lower than in the contralateral limb. Similarly luciferase activity and blood flow in the burned leg were lower than in the contralateral leg. 18FDG uptake by BAT and heart was increased, while brain was decreased. In conclusion, the present study suggests that burn injury to a single leg reduced 18FDG uptake by skeletal muscle but increased 18FDG uptake by BAT. The injury to the leg reduced NF-κB expression as compared to the contralateral leg and the uninjured skeletal muscle of the sham, but activated NF-κB expression in a number of other organs. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that burn trauma to the extremities can produce marked systemic effects, including activation of NF-κB expression and activation of 18FDG uptake by BAT.