Catalyzes the NADPH-dependent reduction of a wide variety of carbonyl-containing compounds to their corresponding alcohols. Displays enzymatic activity towards endogenous metabolites such as aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes, ketones, monosaccharides and bile acids, with a preference for negatively charged substrates, such as glucuronate and succinic semialdehyde (By similarity) (PubMed:22820017, PubMed:15769935, PubMed:20410296). Plays an important role in ascorbic acid biosynthesis by catalyzing the reduction of D-glucuronic acid and D-glucurono-gamma-lactone (PubMed:20410296, PubMed:15769935, PubMed:22820017). Functions as a detoxifiying enzyme by reducing a range of toxic aldehydes. Reduces methylglyoxal and 3-deoxyglucosone, which are present at elevated levels under hyperglycemic conditions and are cytotoxic (By similarity). Involved in the detoxification of lipid-derived aldehydes like acrolein (By similarity). Plays a role in the activation of procarcinogens, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon trans-dihydrodiols, and in the metabolism of various xenobiotics and drugs (By similarity). Displays no reductase activity towards retinoids (By similarity). a primary alcohol + NADP(+) = an aldehyde + H(+) + NADPH L-gulonate + NADP(+) = aldehydo-D-glucuronate + H(+) + NADPH L-gulono-1,4-lactone + NADP(+) = D-glucurono-3,6-lactone + H(+) + NADPH allyl alcohol + NADP(+) = acrolein + H(+) + NADPH glycerol + NADP(+) = D-glyceraldehyde + H(+) + NADPH glycerol + NADP(+) = H(+) + L-glyceraldehyde + NADPH hydroxyacetone + NADP(+) = H(+) + methylglyoxal + NADPH 3-deoxyfructose + NADP(+) = 3-deoxyglucosone + H(+) + NADPH (R)-mevalonate + NADP(+) = H(+) + mevaldate + NADPH NADP(+) + pyridine 3-methanol = H(+) + NADPH + pyridine-3-carbaldehyde Monomer. Widely expressed. Detected at high levels in several tissues including neural ectoderm, gut endoderm, somites, branchial arches, otic vesicles, limb buds and tail bud. Fear memory increases expression 7-fold. Deficient mice develop and grow normally but suffer severe osteopenia and spontaneous fractures with stresses that increase ascorbic acid requirements, such as pregnancy or castration (PubMed:20410296). Deficient mice exhibit reduced asorbic acid and D,L-glyceraldehyde levels. The activities of glucuronate reductase and glucuronolactone reductase, which are involved in ascorbic acid biosynthesis, are suppressed in AKR1A knockout mice (PubMed:22820017, PubMed:20410296). Belongs to the aldo/keto reductase family.