Catalyzes the NAD-dependent oxidation of all-trans-retinol, alcohol, aldehyde and omega-hydroxy fatty acids and their derivatives. Oxidizes preferentially all trans-retinol, all-trans-4-hydroxyretinol, 9-cis-retinol, 2-hexenol, and long chain omega-hydroxy fatty acids such as juniperic acid. In vitro can also catalyzes the NADH-dependent reduction of all-trans-retinal and aldehydes and their derivatives. Reduces preferentially all trans-retinal, all-trans-4-oxoretinal and hexanal. Catalyzes in the oxidative direction with higher efficiency. Therefore may participate in retinoid metabolism, fatty acid omega-oxidation, and elimination of cytotoxic aldehydes produced by lipid peroxidation. a primary alcohol + NAD(+) = an aldehyde + H(+) + NADH 10-hydroxydecanoate + NAD(+) = 10-oxodecanoate + H(+) + NADH all-trans-retinol + NAD(+) = all-trans-retinal + H(+) + NADH 9-cis-retinol + NAD(+) = 9-cis-retinal + H(+) + NADH all-trans-3,4-didehydroretinol + NAD(+) = all-trans-3,4-didehydroretinal + H(+) + NADH all-trans-4-hydroxyretinol + NAD(+) = all-trans-4-hydroxyretinal + H(+) + NADH all-trans-4-oxoretinol + NAD(+) = all-trans-4-oxoretinal + H(+) + NADH 12-hydroxydodecanoate + NAD(+) = 12-oxododecanoate + H(+) + NADH 16-hydroxyhexadecanoate + NAD(+) = 16-oxohexadecanoate + H(+) + NADH hexan-1-ol + NAD(+) = H(+) + hexanal + NADH (E)-hex-2-en-1-ol + NAD(+) = (E)-hex-2-enal + H(+) + NADH (E)-4-hydroxynon-2-en-1-ol + NAD(+) = (E)-4-hydroxynon-2-enal + H(+) + NADH Binds 2 Zn(2+) ions per subunit. Retinol oxidation is inhibited by the detergent Tween 80. Ethanol inhibits both all-trans-retinol and 9-cis-retinol oxidation. 13-cis-retinol is an effective competitive inhibitor of the 9-cis-retinol oxidation. All-trans-retinoic acid is a powerful inhibitor of all-trans-retinol oxidation. 13-cis-retinoic acid is a powerful inhibitor of all-trans-retinol oxidation (By similarity). Cimetidine and ranitidine inhibited ethanol oxidation (PubMed:9600267). Homodimer. Preferentially expressed in stomach. Belongs to the zinc-containing alcohol dehydrogenase family. Class-IV subfamily.