The present invention includes a composition and method of modulating a dysregulated gut-derived inflammation following a thermal injury comprising: identifying a mammal in need of treatment for the dysregulated gut-derived inflammation following the thermal injury； and providing the mammal with a recombinant Cystatin 9 (CST9) and Cystatin C (CSTC) in a synergistic amount sufficient to restrain or prevent a life-threatening, unrestrained systemic dysregulated gut-derived inflammation in the mammal caused by the thermal injury.
