Review Question - QID 109602

A 42-year-old male presents to his primary care physician complaining of abdominal pain. He reports a 5-month history of epigastric pain that improves with meals. He has lost 15 pounds since the pain started. His past medical history is significant for a prolactinoma for which he underwent transphenoidal resection. He drinks alcohol socially and has a 10 pack-year smoking history. His family history is notable for a maternal uncle with a parathyroid adenoma. His temperature is 98.8°F (37.1°C), blood pressure is 125/80 mmHg, pulse is 85/min, and respirations are 18/min. After further workup, the patient is started on octreotide, an analogue of an endogenously produced hormone. When this hormone is produced by the hypothalamus, it has which of the following effects?