Plays a pivotal role in hepatic lipid metabolism (PubMed:29562163). In vitro, it catalyzes the oxidation of a variety of lipid substrates, including 17beta-estradiol, retinol, retinal, and leukotriene B4 (PubMed:29562163, PubMed:30415504, PubMed:32973038). {ECO:0000269|PubMed:29562163, ECO:0000269|PubMed:30415504, ECO:0000269|PubMed:32973038}. [Isoform 2]: Has retinol/retinal dehydrogenase activity in vitro. . [Isoform 1]: Does not have retinol/retinal dehydrogenase activity in vitro. . This is the function of ENSG00000170509 (HSD17B13, hydroxysteroid 17-beta dehydrogenase 13).