Ghrelin therapy was associated with a significantly shorter duration of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) (MD: − 2.72, P = 0.0001), lower CRP level on postoperative day 3 (MD: − 3.64, P < 0.0001), and less total bodyweight loss (MD: − 1.87, P = 0.14). This evidence concerns the gene CRP and systemic inflammatory response syndrome.