Etomoxir (Na salt) is primarily used in research to study metabolic pathways, particularly those involving fatty acid oxidation. It acts as a potent inhibitor of carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT-1), an enzyme crucial for the transport of long-chain fatty acids into mitochondria for oxidation. By inhibiting CPT-1, etomoxir shifts cellular energy metabolism from fatty acid oxidation to glucose utilization. This property makes it a valuable tool in investigating metabolic disorders, such as diabetes, obesity, and heart disease, where altered fatty acid metabolism plays a significant role. Additionally, etomoxir has been explored in cancer research to understand the metabolic reprogramming of cancer cells, which often rely on altered energy pathways for survival and growth. Its application extends to studying the impact of metabolic changes on cellular function and disease progression.