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. Cimetidine competitively inhibited ethanol oxidation. Homodimer. High expression in the stomach mucosa. Lower expression in eye, thymus, skin and ovary. Very low expression in small intestine, liver and uterus. Belongs to the zinc-containing alcohol dehydrogenase family. Class-IV subfamily.